Ontario Launches Pilot at Mississagi Provincial Park

News Release

Ontario Launches Pilot at Mississagi Provincial Park

Province, City of Elliot Lake Working Together to Operate Park

Ontario is working with the City of Elliot Lake to continue providing camping and other services at Mississagi Provincial Park for the 2013 season.

Under a proposed one-year pilot project, Ontario Parks will work with Elliot Lake to operate Mississagi Provincial Park with the goal of increasing revenue and visitation rates. The city will be responsible for staffing, operational and capital costs while covering any net financial losses incurred during the pilot period.

In September 2012, the province announced it was changing Mississagi Provincial Park and nine others from operating to non-operating designation because of low usage and financial losses. Since then, Ontario Parks has been working with three municipalities to operate Fushimi Lake, René Brunelle and Ivanhoe Lake provincial parks under two-year pilot projects.

Ontario is committed to working collaboratively with municipalities to strengthen the economy and sustain jobs for families.

Quick Facts

The 2013 season for Mississagi Provincial Park will begin on June 14.

In 2012, Ontario’s provincial parks received more than nine million visits and brought in $69 million in revenue, which supported jobs and businesses all across the province.

There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario and more than 100 feature visitor facilities. Many Ontario provincial parks provide barrier-free facilities.

Campsites can be reserved online 24 hours a day or by calling the park reservation line at 1-888-ONT-PARK between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“I’m pleased we have reached an agreement with the City of Elliot Lake to operate Mississagi Provincial Park for the enjoyment of Ontarians. In listening to Ontarians, and particularly northerners, we have worked collaboratively with the local municipality and First Nations to develop a pilot that will allow the park to provide overnight camping and other services for the 2013 season.”

“I’m tremendously pleased an agreement has been reached for the 2013 season. Mississagi Provincial Park is certainly a showcase of Northern Ontario’s natural beauty and I look forward to seeing this pilot project help maximize overnight camping opportunities going forward.”

“This could not have happened without the hard work of citizen volunteers and the cooperation of the Minister and his staff. I want to personally thank Minister Orazietti for expediting this project to ensure the park will be open for the summer season. It is an important part of the cultural and economic life of Elliot Lake.”